Agraharam - Inge Brahmanan!!: August 2013

Avani Avittam

**Extracted from http://www.avaniavittam.org/**

Avani Avittam is an important ritual associated with the Brahmin community in the world. The day is of great significance to Rig, Yajur, Sama Vedic Brahmins. On the next day, Gayatri Japa Sankalmpam is observed. In other parts of South India, the observance is known as Upakarma.

On the day of Avani Avittam, the sacred thread worn is changed and it is usually a community observance and takes place on the banks of a pond or river. Avani is the name of the Tamil month and Avittam is one of the 27 nakshatras or stars. On this day, a Mahasankalpam or a vow is taken for atonement of all our sins in the past year. The Brahmins take a holy dip and wear a new holy thread called Yajnopavit or Janeyu.

The first step is a ‘prayashchita’ A prayer to atone the sins. It says, “For the removal of all my sins and thereby to secure a divine blessing and for qualifing myself to perform the essential duties of Brahmanas as prescribed in the vedas and smritis and adopted by the really good in their conduct I put on this Yagnopavita”.

When the thread is worn another mantra is recited which means -”I put on the sacred thread which is highly pure, is inseparable from God, is capable of prolonging life and is the foremost in the accomplishment of a Brahmana. May such pure Yagnopavita bring strength and dignity.

While removing the old thread, the mantra means -”I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana’s brilliance.

Avani Avittam Significance

Upakramam means the beginning. On this day the Yajurvedis begin to read Yajur Veda for next six months. The day is auspicious because as per Indian mythology Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Lord Hayagriva,the lord of knowledge, the one who restored the Vedas to Brahma.

How it is celebrated

On this day, Brahmin boys are bestowed with the Sacred Thread (Yajnopavit or Janeyu). It is said that the third eye, that is the eye of wisdom opens on this day. A Mahasankalpam or a vow is taken for the expiation of all the sins in the past year. Thereafter Brahmins take a holy water dip and wear a new holy thread called Yajnopavit or Janeyu.

Procedure followed on the day

First the Rishi Tharpanam (offering prayers to the ancient Rishis) is read out. Brahmin bachelors perform ‘Samitha Daanam’ and ‘kamo karshith japam’ after Mahasankalpam. Thereafter, Kaanda Rishi tharpanam is performed with the help of family priest or elders. As per the rituals, all the male members should have a light meal at night.

Next day after an early bath, ‘Gayathri Japam’ is read out by everyone. Gayatri Japam Sankalmpam is noted for the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra for 1008 or 108 times. Sama Vedi Brahmins perform the ritual the day after Shravan Amavasi.

Inner meaning

This day is also auspicious as the Brahmins offer libations of water to their ancestors to whom they owe their birth and to the great Rishis to whom they are highly indebted for spiritual knowledge and the Vedas themselves.

Aanandham aanandham aanandhame lyrics

This song is sung after the mangalya dharanam is complete.

ஆனந்தம் ஆனந்தம் ஆனந்தமே
பரமானந்தம் ஆனந்தம் ஆனந்தமே

ஸ்ரீ ராமனும் மணமகன் ஆனாரே
நம்ம ஜானகி மணமகள் ஆனாளே

வந்தவர்க்கும் பார்த்தவர்க்கும் ஆனந்தம் (2)
சீதைக்கும் ராமனுக்கும் ஆனந்தம் (2)

நாம் செய்த பூஜா பலமும்
இன்றே பலித்ததம்மா (ஆனந்தம் )

Aanandham Aanandham Aanandhame
Param Aanandham Aanandham Aanandhame

Sri Ramanum Manamagahan Aanaare
Namma Janaki Manamaghal Aanale

Vandhavarkkum Paarthavarkkum Aanandham
Seethaikkum Ramanukkum Aanandham

Naam seiytha Pooja Palamum
Indre Palithadhama - Aanandham.

Here is a rendition by Sudha Raghunathan

Idli milagai podi

Ingredients
1.	kanja milaga	15
2.	k parupu	1 handful
3.	u parupu	1 handful
4.	hing

Procedure:

1. Pour some oil in the pan and fry the above ingredients until they turn golden brown.
2. Once the above cools, add salt and grind them coarsely.

Morkali

Ingredients
1.	Arisi maavu/rice flour	1 cup
2.	Sour Yoghurt/Curd/pulippu thayir	1 cup
3.	kadugu/Mustard	1 tspn
4.	Kanja milagai/Red chillies	2-3
5.	Ulutham paruppu/Urud dal	4 tsp
6.	Kadalai Paruppu/Chana Dal	4 tsp
7.	Curry leaves

Procedure:

1. Mix rice flour and curd, and add salt. The consistency should be a little thicker than a dosa batter.
2. In a pan, add some oil, and add some mustard. Once it starts splattering, add red chillies, urud dal, chana dal, curry leaves and hing and fry them until they are golden brown.
3. To this, add the batter. As you pour the batter, keep stirring simultaneously to avoid lumps.
4. Once it has thickened a little, close the pan and reduce the stove to low flame.
5. The dish can be either heated till it thickens to mysore pak consistency, and cut into cakes. Or it can be served as a tiffin with a semi thick consistency.

Thavalai dosai

To Soak for 4-6 hrs:
1.	Pacharisi/Raw Rice	2 cups
2.	Tuvaram Paruppu/Toor Dal	Together in equal proportions in 2 cups
3.	Ulutham paruppu/Urud Dal
4.	Kadalai paruppu/Chana dal

Preparation:
1. Grind the above together coarsely without water in a mixie.
2. Add 1/2 cup yoghurt/curd, curry leaves and hing to the mixture.
3. Take a small pan, add a little oil and mustard. Once the mustard cracks, add 2 red chillies and fry.
4. Add these to the batter once fried.
5. Ferment the batter for atleast 6-8 hrs.

Procedure:
1. Take a curved pan (kuzhi vanali), add 2 spoons of oil and 2 ladles of batter.
2. Close the pan for 5 -10 mins. The stove must be in low flame.
3. After 5-10 mins, see if the underside of the dosai is done. if it is, then flip it.
4. Add oil to this side as well. Keep it again for 5-10 mins.

Side dish: Chilli powder

Kanchipuram Idly

To soak
1.	Pacharisi/Raw rice	2 cups
2.	Tuvaram paruppu/toor dal	2 cups

Soak them separately for 4-5 hours. Rinse them, and then grind them together in a grinder or a mixie. Add the required amount of salt. It should not be a smooth batter, but should be a little coarse. Note that the consistency should be thicker than that of a regular idly/dosa batter.

To grind separately
1.	Milagu/Pepper	4 tspn
2.	Seeragam/Jeera	4 tspns
3.	sukku/Dry ginger	1-2

Grind all these together coarsely without water. Add this to the above batter. Also add 2 cups of Idhayam nallennai, 1 cup of ghee, 1 cup yoghurt/curd, hing and curry leaves. Pour the batter in a wide bottomed vessel and let it ferment for atleast 8-12 hours. Stir it once in 4 hrs.

Take a tumbler, smear some oil and pour the batter into it. Similarly fill 4-5 tumblers and keep them in the Idly cooker as you would do Idlies. Heat it for 30 mins, make sure there is enough water. Once done, poke a stick in the Idly to make sure nothing sticks onto the stick. This would mean that the Idly is done.

Side dish: Chilly powder

Rava Upma

Ingredients
1.	Ravai/Semolina	1 cup
2.	Carrot	1
3.	Green peas	1/4 cup
4.	Green chillies	2-3
5.	Curry leaves	4-5
6.	Onion	1
7.	Tomato	1

Procedure:
1. Cut carrot into small cubes and keep aside.
2. Cut onion into fine slices and set aside.
3. Fry the ravai in a vanali with 6-7 spoons of oil.
4. Add mustard and heat oil until it cracks.
5. Now add 2 red chillies, 1 tsp urud dal and 1 tsp chana dal. Fry them until they turn golden brown.
6. Next, add the vegetables and fry them.
7. Once fried, add 2 cups of water and required amount of salt.
8. Once the water has boiled, keep adding the ravai and stir simultaneously making sure no lumps are formed.
9. Once the mixture has thickened, close the pan and keep the stove in low flame. Keep stirring every 5 mins until the upma is done.

Arisi Upma

Ingredients

For grinding
1.	pacharisi/raw rice	2 cups
2.	vendhayam/methi	1/2 tspn
3.	tuvaram paruppu/toor dal	4 tspn

Grind all 3 into a coarse flour, make sure it isn't a smooth flour.

For garnishing
1.	Oil	1 cup
2.	Kanja milagai/Red chillies	4-5
3.	kadalai paruppu/Channa dal	4 tspn
4.	ulutham paruppu/Urud dal	4 tspn
5.	Perungayam/Hing	a pinch
6.	payatham paruppu/Moong dal	2 tspn
7.	Karuveppilai/Curry leaves	4-5
8.	Milagai/Green chillies	1-2

Procedure:
1. In a vanali/pan, pour oil and add some mustard.
2. Once the mustard cracks, add red chillies, chana dal, urud dal, hing and fry until light red.
3. Now, add moong dal, curry leaves, split green chillies and 4 cups of water.
4. Once the water boils, add required quantity of salt. Then, add the ground mixture and keep stirring simultaneously making sure no lumps are formed.
5. Once the mixture has thickened, close the pan and keep the stove in low flame. Keep stirring once every 5 mins.

Some of us like the burnt crusts (kandhal) formed at the bottom of the pan.

Side dishes: Chutney, kuzhambu, masiyal, oorugai

Vaarum my dear nadha song

This is a custom nalangu song sung by the girl during Nalangu in reply to the vaadi vaadi song

Vaarum my dear naadha
Nalanguku tharum Beautiful padham (2)

Madras park fair-il madhana ummai kondu
My father motherku solli marriage settle seidhen (vaarum)

town-il special bungalow vaanga venum
muzhudhum electric fittings aagave hall-il
sofa table spring kattilgaludan
Nilaikannadi beero vendum

Hindu Express and Madras Mail
Times of India Mukta bazaar
paper dhinamum varavazhaithe vegu shokkai
padikka vendum

Aanandha bhavan naam sella vendum
special-il tiffin-um kolla vendum
naazhigal aayitru paadham tharum my dear prana nesane..

Vaadi vaadi lyrics

This song is sung during nalangu. This is a song you will not find anywhere else, as this is a family song that has come down from older generations:

Vaadi vaadi my dear lady-yai nalangida
come on come on my dear lady-yai nalangida
sandheduthaaduvom pandheduthu aaduvom
vaadi oyyaramaai vaadi singaramai
(vaadi vaadi..)

sandhanam poosuvom sarasamaaga pesuvom
singara vanam thanile odi aadi vilayaduvom
(vaadi vaadi..)

Gowri Kalyana Vaibogame lyrics

This song is sung when the viradha bakshanangal (delicacies made for the fasting ceremony) are kept in the groom's house:

க்ஷேமங்கள் கோரி விநாயகனை துதித்து
சங்கரனையும் கெளரியையும் வர்ணித்து
ஸ்ரீ ராமனையும் ஜானகியையும் வர்ணித்து

கௌரி கல்யாண வைபோகமே
லக்ஷ்மி கல்யாண வைபோகமே

வசுதேவ தவ பாலா
அசுர குல காலா (2)
சசிவதன ரூபிணி
சத்யபாமா லோலா (2) (கௌரி கல்யாண )

கொத்தோட வாழைமரம்
கொண்டு வந்து நிறுத்தி (2)
கோப்புடைய பந்தலுக்கு
மேல் கட்டு கட்டி (2) (கௌரி கல்யாண )

Kshemanghal kori Vinaayakanai Thudhithu
Shankaranaiyum Gowriyayum Varnithu
SriRamanaiyum Janakiaiyum Varnithu

Gowri Kalyaana VaibOgame'
Lakshmi Kalyaana VaibOghame

Vasudeva dhava Bhala
Asura kula Kala (2)
sasivadhana Roopini
Sathyabhama Lola (2) - Gowri Kalyaana..

Kothoda Vazhaimaram
Kondu Vandhu Niruthi (2)
Kopaiyudaiya Pandhalukku
Mel Kattu Katti (2) - Gowri Kalyaana

Here is the rendition by Sudha Raghunathan

Sri Raama Jaya Lyrics

This song is sung when the elders apply oil to the bride and groom before the marriage

ஸ்ரீ ராமா ஜெய ஜெய
சீதம்மா மனோஹர (2)
காருண்ய ஜலதே
கருணா நிதே ஜெய ஜெய

தில்லையில் வனம் தனிலே
ராமர் வந்த நாளையிலே
ராமரோட சேனையெல்லாம்
ராமரை கொண்டாட

சங்கு சக்ரம் தரித்து கொண்டு
தனுசை கையில் பிடித்து கொண்டு
கோதண்டம் தன்னை பிடித்து ராமர்
கோலாகலமாய் இருந்தார்

ஜனகரோட மனையில் வந்து
சீதையுடைய வில்லை முறித்து
ஜானகியை மாலையிட்டார்
ஜனகர் அரண்மனை தன்னிலே

Pallavi

Sri Rama jaya jaya,
Seethamma manohara ,
Karunya Jaladhe ,
Karuna nidhe , jaya, jaya

Charanam

1.Thillayil vanam thanile,
Ramar vanda naalaiyile,
Ramaroda senayellam ,
Ramarai Kondada

2.Sangu Chakram tharithu kondu,
Dhanusai kayil pidithu kondu
Kodandam thannai pidithu Ramar,
Kolakalamai irundhar

3.Janakaroda manayil vandu,
Seethayudaya villai murithu,
Janakiyai malayittar,
Janakar aranmanai thanile

English translation

Pallavi

Victory, victory to Sri Rama,
Who has stolen the mind of Sita,
Who is the ocean of mercy,
Victory , victory to the treasure of mercy.
Charanam

1.In the forest of Chidambaram,
Sri Rama came in the evening,
All the army of Sri Rama,
Kept on praising him

2.He came wearing the conch and the wheel,
He came holding the bow in his hand,
And holding the KOdanda,, that Sri Rama,
Was happy and great.

3.He came to the house of Janaka,
Broke the bow belonging to Sita,
And married the daughter of Janaka,
In the palace of Janaka.

Here is Sudha Raghunathan's rendition of the same:

Nichayathartham aka Engagement

The first ritual in the process of marriage is celebration of the Nichayartham (settling the marriage). There are two types of Nichayarthams. The first one is a legal contract between the families of the groom and the bride which is entered into by the elders of the family well ahead of the marriage. The second Nichayartham is a religious ceremony and usually takes place on the day prior to the Muhurtham.

The dates of Nichayartham as well as marriage are chosen based on the birth star of the girl. Nichayartham is usually held in the evening hours in the house of the girl or a relative of the girl’s parents or in a community/public hall. Only the very close relatives take part in this function. The groom’s parents buy a silk sari as well as an item of jewellery for the girl. They also bring trays bearing fruits, dry fruits, candy, sugar etc. The number of trays is expected to be an odd number – usually 15 or more.

The religious part of the ceremony is brief. The priests from both sides sit with the elders of the family of both the bride and the groom and draw up the ‘Lagna pathirigai’ (wedding card) for the bride’s as well as the groom’s side. This is written inTamil and mainly shows the date and time of the Muhurtham. The time within which the main ritual of Muhurtham has to be completed is called Muhurtha Kalam, which is three and three fourth Nazahigai (Nazhigai is an ancient measure of time and each Nazhigai is 24 minutes thus making the Muhurtha kalam to be one and a half hours). Other details like place of marriage, the Acharya (teacher) of the family etc. are also shown in the ‘Lagnapathirigai’.

The ‘Lagna pathirigai’ is then exchanged by the parents of both the groom and the bride. The ‘Lagna pathirigai’ forms the basis for printing ‘Manjal Pathirigai’ which means ‘yellow card’ and is not to be confused with an yellow journal! This is the wedding invitation printed in Tamil with yellow background on one side and in English or Tamil with red (pink) background on the other side. Yellow and red are auspicious colours. Usually this card is sent to all elders. In the olden days, the groom was not expected to attend this Nichayathartham. But nowadays, the groom also takes part in the function for whom the girl’s parents buy a set of new clothes. After the exchange of ‘Lagna pathirigai’, both the boy and the girl are formally presented to the relatives of both sides and receive their blessings.

Pen parthal aka meeting the girl

Once you are past the horoscope matches, and the eligibility checks, you then get to the stage of visiting the girl's family.

This custom has changed a lot from yester-years, now it is a matter of the boy meeting the girl at some cafe and exchanging views about marriage, on topics of mutual interest, and what-not, and deciding if they are the right match.

The traditional pen parthal involves the boy's family and his close relatives visiting the girl's house. The girl's family prepares a sweet and a snack to welcome the boy's family. The idea behind this procedure was to understand each other's family well, and to discuss things in their entirety. For example, what the family customs are, and their practices, their relatives, heredity etc are discussed to decide on the compatibility. Sometimes these things are important because, if the girl's family happens to be modern and the boy's family happens to be way too traditional, there may be difficulties in the girl adapting to the boy's family. To iron out these problems, the pen parthal occasion serves as a good platform for initiation of a wedding prospect.

Another aspect in this occasion is the boy talking to the girl in private. Actually this is what has evolved into the cafe meeting of the current century. This is more about understanding each other and weighing personalities between the boy and the girl.

Some families decide and let know each other later after this ceremony, and some families make a decision immediately and exchange mutual consent. Since this ceremony is the stepping stone of a marriage, it is given its due importance.

The hunt for the horoscope!

Now, you have decided that your son or daughter is ready for marriage, and you either have a horoscope or you have to get the horoscope done. Hmm, if you don't have the horoscope on hand, the ideal way is to either get a good astrologer to draft one for your son, or drop into the nearby computer center that advertises "You can get horoscopes here", and get the current superpower to generate on based on the date of birth, time and place of birth of your kid.

Why do we need a horoscope anyway? There are a few specific things about a person's birth
1. Gotram
2. Nakshatram aka star
3. Planetary positions

The Gotram factor comes from predecessors. It is said that each person is a descendant of a sage from centuries ago. There are 20 gotrams, and they are "Aatreya, Agastya, Bhadarayana, Bharadwaja, Gargya, Harita, Kanva, Kashyapa, Kowndinya, Kowsika, Kutsa, Mowdkalya, Naitruvakaasyapa, Paraasara, Sandilya, Shatamarshana, Srivatsa, Sunkriti, Vatula and Viswamitra". I am sure most of us know some of these rishis, Agastya being a sure shot. So the first condition for prospective match is that the gotrams should not be the same. For example, if both the boy and the girl are from Bharadwaja gotram, they are seen as from the same lineage, and hence become brother and sister.

The Nakshatram aka star is the second factor that is considered. There are 27 stars in the horoscope world (thankfully not all the millions in the sky!). Starting from Ashwini and ending with Revathi, these stars have their compatibility matrices. For example, Uthiram isn't compatible with Chittirai, nor is Kettai friendly with itself (same goes for any star). Some stars are by default branded in terms of marriage - for example, moolam in a girl is generally seen as adverse if both parents of the boy are alive, but if only one of them is alive, then it is flagged green. One might ask if all these have any relevance, but with no bias to either side, I can safely say I have seen marriages involving the same stars fail badly. However, I am no expert on these and these are purely for information.

Planetary positions is a complex topic, and it is here people calculate factors such as yogam, dosham, dasai etc. The compatibility of the boy and girl (as shown by their horoscopes) is determined under various factors such as temperament, mutual love, strength of the marital bond, financial prosperity after marriage, progeny, sexual compatibility etc. some of which are assigned greater weightages. A good match is one in which at least 70% score is obtained. This is called "poruththam parthal".

After all these compatibility tests are done, and the family background, earning potential, educational background etc checks (based on relevance) are complete, the families go to the next important step called "Pen parthal". Oh yes, before that, the photographs of the girl and the boy are exchanged along with the horoscope, and the overall consent is usually based on both the horoscope and the photograph :)

Kanja malar meedhu

Kanja malar meedhu uraiyum kattazhagi seethai
indhu muga sundaranam raman magizh kodhai laali

kaagustha thilagavo kalyana rama
kousiganin velvi dhanai katha raghu rama lali

villaiyum irandai udaitha veera raghu rama
janakiyai maalaiyitta kalyana rama lali

sivadhanusai odithu ninra seer migundha thola
bhuvani pugazh janakar petra seethai manavaala laali

kallaiyum pennakki vaitha kamala malar padhaa
thollulagil keerthi migum thuraiye raghunatha laali

paalale kaal alambi pattale thudaithu
mani thengai kaiyil koduthu
mangala neer sutri laali

Laali aadinal

லாலி ஆடினாள் லக்ஷ்மி லாலி ஆடினாள்
ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி இன்று இங்கு
லாலி ஆடினாள் லக்ஷ்மி லாலி ஆடினாள்

ஸ்ரீரங்க பதியிலே ஆதி சேஷன் அரவணையில்
மந்தகாச வதனமோடு ரங்கனாதன் ரங்கநாச்சி

வ்ரிஷபர்த்தி திருப்பதியில் வெங்கடேசன் சகிதமாக
அபய ஹஸ்த அலங்கார அலமேலு மங்கை இங்கு

ஸ்ரீ காஞ்சி தன்னிலே கருட வாகனத்திலே
வரதராஜன் சகிதமாக பெருந்தேவி தாயார் இங்கு

நாராயண புரத்திலே வைரமுடி மின்னிடவே
செல்லப் பிள்ளை சகிதமாக மங்கை கல்யாணி இங்கு

திருவந்தி புரத்திலே சிம்ம வாகனத்திலே
தேவநாதன் சகிதமாக ஹேமாம்புஜ நாயகியும்

ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் தன்னிலே பெரியாழ்வார் திருமகளாய்
சூடி கொடுத்த சுடர்க்கொடியும் ரங்கமன்னார் சகிதமாக

திருக்கடிகை தன்னிலே யோக நரசிம்மரோடு
அமிர்தவல்லி தாயாரும் ஆனந்தமாக இங்கு

laali aadinaal lakshmi laali aadinaaL
sri lakshmi indru ingu
laali aadinaaL lakshmi laali aadinaaL

sriranga pathiyile aadhi seshan aravaNaiyil
mandhahaasa vadhanamodu ranganaathan ranganaachchi

vrishabharthi thiruppathiyil venkatEsan sahidhamaaga
abhaya hastha alankaara alamElu mangai ingu

sri kaanchi thannilE garuda vaahanaththile
varadharaajan sahidhamaaga perundhEvi thaayaar ingu

naaraayaaNapurathilE vairamudi minnidavE
chellap piLLai sahidhamaaga mangai kalyaaNi ingu

thiruvandhipurathilE simma vaahanathilE
dhEvanaathan sahidhamaaga hEmaampuja naayakiyum

srivillipuththoorthannile periyaazhvaar thirumagaLaay
soodi koduththa sudark kodiyum rangamannaar sahidhamaaga

thirukkadigai thannilE yoga narasimharOdu
amirthavalli thaayaarum aanandhamaaga ingu

Kannoonjal aadi lyrics

This song is sung during the swing (oonjal) ceremony in a marriage

Raagam: Anandha Bairavi
Thalaam: Yeka
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள் மன மகிழ்ந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள் மன மகிழ்ந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
காஞ்சன மாலை மன மகிழ்ந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
காஞ்சன மாலை மன மகிழ்ந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்

பொன்னுஞ்சலில் பூரித்து
பூஷணங்கள் தரித்து
பொன்னுஞ்சலில் பூரித்து
பூஷணங்கள் தரித்து
ஈஸ்வரனரிடத்தில் ஆசைகள் ரொம்ப வைத்து
ஈஸ்வரனரிடத்தில் ஆசைகள் ரொம்ப வைத்து
ஈஸ்வரனரிடத்தில் ஆசைகள் ரொம்ப வைத்து
கன்னூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்

உத்தமி பெற்ற குமாரி,
நித்ய சர்வலங்கரி,
உத்தமி பெற்ற குமாரி,
நித்ய சர்வலங்கரி,
பக்தர்கள் பாப ஸமாரி
பத்ம முக ஒய்யாரி
பக்தர்கள் பாப ஸமாரி
பத்ம முக ஒய்யாரி
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
அசைந்து சங்கிலயாட உசந்து ஊர்வசி பாட
அசைந்து சங்கிலியாட உசந்து ஊர்வசி பாட
அசைந்து சங்கிலியாட உசந்து ஊர்வசி பாட

இசைந்து தாளங்கள் போட
மீனாக்ஷி பரியால் கொண்டாட
இசைந்து தாளங்கள் போட
மீனாக்ஷி பரியால் கொண்டாட
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
காஞ்சன மாலை மன மகிழ்ந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
காஞ்சன மாலை மன மகிழ்ந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்
கண்ணூஞ்சல் ஆடி இருந்தாள்

English Verse:

Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal
Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal Mana magizhndhaal
Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal Mana magizhndhaal
Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal
Kanchana maalai Mana magizhndhaal
Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal
Kanchana maalai Mana magizhndhaal

Ponnoonjalil pooriththu
Bhooshanangal thariththu
Ponnoonjalil pooriththu
Bhooshanangal thariththu
Eeswaranaridaththil aasaigal romba vaithu
Eeswaranaridaththil aasaigal romba vaithu
Eeswaranaridaththil aasaigal romba vaithu
Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal

Uththami petra kumaari
Nithya sarvalankaari
Uththami petra kumaari
Nithya sarvalankaari
Bakthargal papasamari
Padma muga oyyari
Bakthargal papasamari
Padma muga oyyari

(Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal)

Asaindhu sangili aada
Usandhu urvashi paada (3)
Isaindhu thalangal poda
Meenakshi pariyal kondada (2)

(Kannoonjal aadi irundhaal)

English Translation

English Meaning for the Lyrics of Kannunjal Aadi Irunthaal

Swung she, our Garland of Gold,
For the first time,

In the golden swing,
And happy she became.
Ecstasic in the golden Swing,
And in love with the Lord of all.

Daughter of great ma,
Gaily made up to the toe,
Remover of sins of devotees,
The lotus girl who is gorgeous

With her movements pretty,
Swung the chains hither and thither,
From the sky sang the great Urvashi,
And all people around kept the beats,
With Our darling Meenakshi's praise.

Here is Sudha Raghunathan's rendition of the same:

Quickies

1. Studying while facing west will help the mind register what you read. 2. saying slokas facing north is beneficial

Maalai Matrinal Lyrics

This song is sung when the bride and the groom exchange garlands after the groom's kaasi yathirai :)

Raagam: Shankarabaranam

மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலடைந்து மதிலரங்கன்
மாலை அவர்தன் மார்பிலே
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலடைந்து மதிலரங்கன்
மாலை அவர்தன் மார்பிலே
மையலாய் தையலாள் மாமலர் கரத்தினால்
மையலாய் தையலாள் மாமலர் கரத்தினால்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்

ரங்கராஜனை அன்பர் தங்கள் நேசனை
ரங்கராஜனை அன்பர் தங்கள் நேசனை
ரங்கராஜனை அன்பர் தங்கள் நேசனை
ஆசி கூறி பூசுரர்கள் பேசி மிக்க வாழ்த்திட
அன்புடன் இன்பமாய் ஆண்டாள் கரத்தினால்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
பூ மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
பூ மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்
பூ மாலை சாற்றினாள்
கோதை மாலை மாற்றினாள்

English Verse:

Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maaladaindhu Madhilaranghan Maalai Avarthan Maarbiley
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal

Maiyalay Thaiyalaal Maamalar Karathinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal

Rangaraajanai Anbar Thanghal Nesanai
Rangaraajanai Anbar Thanghal Nesanai
Aasai Koori Poosurarghal Pesi Mikka Vaazhthida
Anbhudan Enbhamay Aandaal Karathinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Poo Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Poo Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
Poo Maalai Saarthinaal Kodhai Maalai Maatrinaal
English Meaning for the Lyrics of Maalai Saathinaal

Flower garland put on his neck
Kothai exchanged garland with him
On him who is the spotless Ranga,
The winsome lady,
With her flower like hands,
With love filling her heart,

When the friends and priests,
Praised and blessed him who is God,
With love and with joy,
With her holy hands.
Flower garland put on his neck
Kothai exchanged garland with him

And here is the song sung by Sudha Raghunathan :

Home

Hi There,

Let me introduce myself - I am Ravi Seshadhri, settled in London with my family. Although I am an Iyengar, I should probably term myself a quasi-Iyengar, as I don't follow all the traditions that an Iyengar, or even a brahmin, should follow. (Anyway, who has got the time, asks the so-called-self-proclaimed-modern mind ;-) ) As much as the mind thinks there is no time or convenience to follow all the traditions, we find that we have lost most of the traditions in our rush hour life. Now, my wife doesn't know half (why half, lets even say 90%) of the traditional recipes and relies on google for cooking everyday!

One day, we were discussing life (I am sure all of us do when we are lazy to do work and want something to bill our hours against), and we were wondering how we will organise our daughter's marriage when she comes of age (and she is only 4 years old now) according to traditions if we don't even know a speck worth of it :-/

So here started my quest of digging out traditional recipes and processes and values, and I thought I could share it with whoever is interested. We even find that most families are nuclear and there is hardly any connection between relatives, and the traditions were so deeply rooted in mingling with near and dear and getting happiness and fun out of it!

I am doing my best, and I hope you'd give feedback or share some tradition that you know of so we can make this complete.

-Ravi

Divyadesams out of the world!

107. Thirupaarkadal
108. Thiruparamapadham

Divyadesams in AndhraPradesh

1. Ahobilam - Andhra Pradesh

Divyadesams in Nepal

2. Muktinath, Saligramam Nepal

Kalyana Vaibogame!!

Marriage is a very important occasion in a family. "Kalyanam seidhu paar, veetai katti paar" (Try organising a marriage, or try building a house) is an old adage that aptly describes the complexities these occasions present to one.

Let's have a look at each stage in a marriage, and why any procedure is done from a traditional point of view. These days it is easy for the younger generation to dismiss most procedures saying they have no rhyme or reason, or just a waste of time.

Paruppu Kuzhambu

Paruppu kuzhambu is one of the foremost Iyengar recipes

Is my kid ready for marriage?

There comes this stage in every parent's life, where you start thinking "My son (or daughter) has come of age to marry, I should start looking out for prospects!". This happens either when the girl has completed her college studies and is employed, or when the boy has settled himself well in a job. Irrespective of when you start looking out, what decides the time for marriage is the planetary positions in the horoscope of your (grown-up) kid.

Ideally, an adult is ready for marriage when he is mentally and physically matured. A girl is in no way ready mentally to get married until she is 21, nor is a boy less than 24 year old. There goes the scientific way of seeing it. Please make sure this criteria is met before you start dusting the horoscopes buried in the attic or cupboards!

Traditionally, an adult is ready when his horoscope has a strong guru paarvai in his horoscope. There are tonnes of astrologers who would be ready to advise you on this. On the contrary, if your son or daughter does not have guru paarvai in the horoscope, the prospect that you are looking at may have a strong guru paarvai which will be a good indication for the marriage.